Coin controlled vending machine



4, 1934. w. L. GILCHRIST 1,970,006

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING .MACHINE Filed July 22, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 24 3 INVENTOR.

46 W L. 6// CHE/67' M 19 BY 30 26 W a: 28 28 28 ATTOR EY.

1934- w. L. GILCHRIST COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22. 1932 Aug. 14, 1934-0 ISL;

W. L. GILCHRIST COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Filed July 22. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. W /L CHE/6'7- BY A ' ATTRNEY.

Patented Aug. 14, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Application July 22, 1932, Serial No. 623,991

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in coin controlled vending machines. 4

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved coin controlled'delivery mechanism for a vending machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vending machine including novel means for locking the delivery plungers against actuation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vending machine including novel coin actuated means for releasing the delivery plungers and means whereby coins may be returned to the operator after actuating the plunger releasing mechanism and before the delivery plunger is operated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a coin controlled vending machine including a plurality of delivery plungers which are locked 2 against operation by a common means and wherein when the locking means is released only one of the delivery plungers may be operated.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connecr tionwith the accompanying drawings wherein;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary cross section of my improved vending machine taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

30 Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing different positions of the various parts.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3 showing the coin return mechanism in a different position and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have indicated a vending machine embodying the features of my invention generally at 10. As shown this vending machine includes a housing 12 having a plurality of vertical hoppers 13 therein in which articles such as packages 14 of cigarettes are positioned and adjacent one end of the vending machine a smaller hopper 15 is provided in which boxes 16 of matches are positioned. 7

For removing the merchandise from the hoppers 13 and 15, I provide delivery plungers 1'? which are'mounted in a frame 18 positioned in the housing 12. Each of the plungers 17 includes ashank 19 which is positioned in a transverse er platform completely out from under the mergroove 20 provided in the upper face of the frame 18. The frame 18 is provided with a cover 18' which is positioned over the plunger shank 19. The forward end of the plunger shank 19 is pro- 60 vided with an enlarged head 21 which extends out of'the housing 12 through an aperture 22 provided in the front wall thereof. The plunger shank 19 extends rearward beyond the rear face of the frame 18 and adjacent the rear of the plunger shank 19 I provide an upstanding portion 23 which supports'a horizontal platform portion 24 which extends forwardly therefrom.

In the initial position of the plunger 1'7 the platform portion 24 is positioned directly below the merchandise in the associated hopper and the lower package of merchandise is supported on the platform 24 (see Fig. 4) In one side and adjacent the bottom of the plunger portion which extends to the rear of the frame 18 I provide a plurality of saw toothed notches 25. Adjacent the rear of the plunger shank I provide a recessed portion 26 and adjacent the rear face of the frame 18 I provide a recessed portion 2'7 in the plunger shank. The recessed portions 26 80 and 2'7 are of a greater depth than the height of the saw toothed notches 25.

Extending rearwardly from the frame 18 ad"- jacent each of the plungers 17, I provide a pair of spaced lugs 28 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4). The 8 adjacent face of each pair of lugs 28 is provided with a recessed bearing portion 29.

Positioned between each pair of lugs 28 I provide a locking dog 30 which includes opposed annular pivot bosses 31 which are positioned in the bearing recesses 29 of the lugs 28. Extending upwardly from the pivot bosses 31 the dog 30 includes a tapered portion 32 which in the initial position of its associated plunger is positioned in the recess 2'7 of the plunger. For resiliently 95 retaining the dog 30 in a vertical position, I provide a coiled spring 33, one end of which is connected to a finger 34 on the dog 30 and the opposite end of which is anchored to a pin 35 provided on the frame 18.

When'the plunger 17 is moved' forwardly the dog 30 is tilted by the sides of the saw toothed notches 25 and does not again assume its initial vertical position until the plunger has been moved forwardly a suificient distance to move the plungchandise in its associated hopper. Thus should the operator try to move the plunger rearwardly before completing the forward movement of the plunger the upper end of the dog 30 will wedge no in one of the saw toothed notches 25 and prevent rearward movement of the plunger. Similarly, when the plunger is being moved rearwardly from its forward position the dog 30 will prevent forward movement of the plunger until the plunger has been returned to its initial position and the upper end of the dog enters the recess 27.

When the plunger platform 24 is moved from under the merchandise in its associated hopper 13 all the merchandise in the hopper moves downwardly and the lowermost package rests on a pair of inwardly extending side flanges 37 pro-. vided at the lower end of the hopper (see Fig. 2). When the plunger 17 is moved rearwardly the rear of the platform 24 engages the front end of the lowermost package of merchandise and moves it rearwardly out of the hopper through an aperture 38 provided in the rear wall of the hopper, and off of the flanges 37. Whereupon the package of merchandise is directed to the customer in a manner to be described hereinafter.

After the package of merchandise has been expelled from the hopper all of the merchandise therein moves downward until the new lowermost package is supported on the plunger platform 24.

Intermediate the width of the plunger platform 24 and extending from the front thereof rearwardly a predetermined distance I provide a slot 39. Positioned in the slot 39 I provide a bar 40 which is pivoted intermediate its length to the platform as indicated at 41 in'Fig. 4'. The rear end of the bar 40 is preferably inclined as indicated at 42 and theend of the slot 39 is similarly shaped so that when the bar 40 is in a horizontal position the end '42 thereof engages the inclined end of the slot 39 which prevents downward movement of the rear end of the bar 40. Adjacent the forward end of the bar 40 I provide an enlarged portion 43 which includes an under cut portion having an underface 44' and a front stop face 45.

In line with each of the plungers 17 the cover 18 is provided with a raised portion 46 which extends from the rear of the cover forwardly at a downward inclination (see Fig. 7).

When a package of merchandise is supported on the platform 24 of its associated plunger -17 the weight of the package retains the bar 40 in a horizontal position wherein the stop face 45 of the bar is positioned above the raised portion 46 on the cover 18 and the plunger bar can be moved forwardly. When the platform is moved out from under the merchandise the forward end of the bar 40 being heavier than the rear portion thereof moves downward into engagement with the upper surface of the raised portion 46 and as the plunger is returned to its initial position the inclined top surface of the raised portion 46 moves the forward portion of the bar 40 upward again so that before the lowermost package of merchandise is expelled from the hopper the-'bar 40 has assumed its initial horizontal position and when the next package of merchandise moves downward onto the plunger platform 24 it retains the bar 40 in a horizontal position. When the last package of merchandlse has been expelled from the hopper and the associated plunger is fully returned to its initial position the forward end of the bar 40 swings downward 'until the surface 44 thereof engages the top of the raised portion 46 of the cover 18 as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 4. In this position the stop face 45 of the bar 40 is below the raised cover portion 46 and will upon a slight forward movement of the plunger engage the rear face of the raised portion 46 and prevent further forward movement of the plunger. The distance the plunger moves to bring the stop face 45 of the bar 40 into engagement with the cover is such that the dog 30 retains its position in the plunger recess 27.

Adjacent the rear of the frame 18 and in the upper surface thereof I provide a longitudinally extending recess 47 the bottom surface of which is flush with the upper surface of the shanks 19 of the plungers 17. The recess 47 terminates in an end wall 48 before it reaches the delivery plunger 17 which is associated with the match hopper 15. The end wall 48 is in line with the left hand face of the last plunger associated with the cigarette hoppers 13. The opposite end of the recess 47 opens into an enlarged recess 49 provided in the upper surface of the frame 18. Positioned in the recess 47 I provide a plurality of bars 50 and a bar 51 which are adapted to have longitudinal movement in the recess 47. The bars 50 are of such a length that in their initial position when the left hand bar 50 engages the stop wall 48 the abutting faces of the bars 50 and the abutting face of the bar 51 with its associated bar 50 are in line with the left hand sides of the shanks 19 of the plungers (see Fig. 3). The rear left hand corners of the bars 50 and of the bar 51 are rounded as indicated at 52 and the rear right hand corners of the bars 50 are cut at an angle as indicated at 53.

Extending upwardly from the upper surface of the shanks 19 of each of the plungers 17 I provide a raised cam portion 54. The forward end of each of the raised cam portions 54 terminates in a point 55 which is in line withthe left hand side of the plunger shank and curves towards the right where it merges into a tapered surface 56 which extends rearwardly a predetermined distance to the righthand side of the plunger shank. When the plungers 17 are in their initial positions the cam point 55 is approximately flush with the rear wall of the recess 47 in the frame 18.

When one of the plungers 17 is moved forward the cam point 55 thereof moves into engagement with the adjacent rounded corner 52 of one of the bars 50. Upon further forward movement of the plunger the raised cam portion 54 thereof moves the bar 50 which it engages towards the right whereupon all the bars 50 move to the right and the bar 51 is similarly moved. When the bars 50 to the right of, the operated plunger are thus moved they extend across the recess 20 in the frame 18 whereupon should one of the plungers to the right of the operated plunger be moved forward the cam point 55 thereof will engage the rear face of one of the bars 50 and prevent movement of the plunger. Should one of the plungers to the right of the operated plunger be moved the raised cam portion 54 thereof will engage the rounded corner 52 of one of the bars 50 and become wedged thereagainst. That is due to the fact that the right hand end of the bar 50 which is at the left of the operated plunger engages the left face of the raised portion of the operated plunger thereby preventing movement of all the bars 50 at the left of the operated plunger.

When the operated plunger is returned to its 1:

initial position the bars 50 to the, right thereof and the bar 51 are returned to their initial position as will be described hereinafter.

Spaced from the bar 51 and at right angles thereto I provide a bar 57 which is positioned ranged at right angles to each other.

of the arms 66 and 6'7 the member on the frame 18 as at 68. Adjacent.

in a groove 58 provided in the frame 18. The bar 5'7 extends rearwardly from the frame 18 and is further supported by a bracket 59 integral with the frame 18. v

Intermediate the bar 51 and the bar 5'7 I provide a crank member 60 which includes a pair of arms 61 and 62 arranged at right angles to each other. Adjacent the juncture of the arms 61 and 62 the crank member 60 is pivoted on the frame 18 as indicated at 63. The end of the crank arm 61 engages the end of the bar 51 and the end of the crank arm 62 engages the rear wall of a reces 64. provided in the bar 5'7. Forward of the crank member 60 I provide a latch member 65 which includes a pair of arms 66 and 6'7 ar- Adjacent the juncture 65 is pivoted the end of the arm 66 I provide a notch which includes a surface 69 and a stop surface '70. Normaliy the surface 69 engages the forward, face of the bar 51 and the stop surface '70 is spaced a slight distance from the end of the bar 51. Pivotally mounted intermediate its length as at '71 adjacent the end of the arm 6'7 of the member 65 I provide a dog '72. One end of the dog '72 is rounded forwardly and includes a flat front face which engages the front wall '72 of the recess 64 in the bar 5'7. 'I'heopposite end of the dog '72 has one end of a coiled spring '73 secured thereto, the opposite end of the spring being anchored to a pin '74 on the arm 66. A pin '75 provided on the arm 6'7 prevents forward movement of the end-of the dog opposite the curved end. A coiled spring '76 has one end thereof secured to a pin '77 on the arm 62 of the crank member 60 and the opposite end secured to a pin 78 on the arm 66 of the latch member 65 to real iently urge the arm 66 of the latch member 65 and the arm 62 of the crank member 60 towards each other. Rearward movement of the bar 5'7 is normally prevented by a pivoted dog 79 which is normally positioned in a slot '79 provided in the bar 5'7 (see Fig. 1). The dog '79 is in this instance shown as adapted to be operated to a released position by an arm 80 which forms part of a coin released mechanism generally indicated at The coin release mechanism 81 is of the type shown and described in app ication Serial No. 619,028 filed June 24, 1932 of which I am joint inventor with W. T. Hoofnagle. It will be understood however that any other type of coin released mechanism may be used.

- When the coin release mechanism 81 has been properly operated and thelever 80 has raised the dog '79 out of the slot '79 of the bar 5'7 and a delivery plunger 1'7 is moved forward and moves the bars 50 and the bar 51 to the right the bar 51 swings the crank member 60 about its pivot 63 and moves the bar 5'7 rearward. As the bar 5'7 starts to move rearwardly the forward wall of the slot 64 therein moves the dog '72 rearwardly thereby moving the arm 66 of the latchmember 65 whereupon the bar 51 is free to continue its movement to the right (see Fig. 3).

When the operated delivery plunger is returned to its initial position a suitable means, which will be described hereinafter, moves the bar 5'7 forward which through the medium of the crank member 60 moves the bar 51 and the bars 50 to,

the left to their initial positions. When the bar 5'7 again reaches its initial forward position the dog '79 again prevents rearward movement there:

its pivot which in turn will allow the spring '76 to swing the arm 66 whereupon when the end of the bar 51 reaches the notch provided in the arm 66 the arm 66 will be returned to its initial position whereupon the stop face '70 will prevent movement of the bar 5l,to the right.

This lagging movement of the bar 5'7 will perhaps only occur when a dishonest operator after moving one of the plungers 1'7 forward grasps another plunger 17 and moves the cam point 55 thereof into engagement with the rear face of the adjacent bar 50 and prevents movement of the bars 50 and then as he returns the operated plunger toits initial position tries to let the.

bars 50 slowly return towards their initial position by partially releasing the pressure of the other plunger on the bar 50 and then trying to slip the other plunger in between two of the bars 50 before they are fully returned to their initial position.

The coin actuated mechanism 81 includes a coin chute 82 which is pivoted thereto as at 83. The coins after actuating the mechanism 81 enter the coin chute 82 and come to rest adjacent the which is pivotally secured as at 85 to the underlower end thereof on a coin tray 84 side of the bracket 59. A pin 86 extending down-' ward from the bottom of the bar 5'7 is positioned between a pair of spaced fingers .8'7 and upon rearward movement of the bar 5'7 swings the coin platform 84 about its pivot 85 thereby moving it from under the coin chute 82 whereupon the coins fall into a coin chute 88 which conveys the coins to a suitable coin receiver.

Positioned forward of the coin chute 88 a coin chute 89 is provided which is adapted to direct coins out of the housing 12 to a coin receiver 90 from which the operator may remove them.

To swing the coin chute 82 about its pivot to direct the coins therefrom into the coin chute 90 I provide anoperating bar 91 which isslidable in slots 92 and 93 provided in the frame 18. The

forward end of the bar 91 is provided with an,

enlarged head 94 which extendsout of the housing through an aperture 95-provided in the front wall thereof. The bar 91 extends rearwardly from the frame 18 and is supported on the bracket 59.

Pivotally mounted on one side of the bar 91 I provide a roller 9'7 which engages the rear face of a projecting member 98 vide apin 99 and projecting downwardly from the bar 5'7 I provide a similar pin 100.

A coiled spring 101 having one end secured to the pin 99 and the opposite end to the pin 100 resiliently urges the bar 59 forward and the bar 91 rearwardly. The spring 101 returns the bar 185- on the coin chute 82. Projecting downwardly from the bar 91 I pro-' 5'7 to its initial position after it has been moved rearward as previously described. v

If an operator desires .to have his coins returned to him after depositing them in the vending machine he may do so before operating one of the plunger's 1'7 by moving the bar 91 forwardly. When the bar 91 is moved forward the roller 97 thereon engages the member 98 on the coin chute 82 and swings the lower end of the coin chute 82 forward to the broken line position shown in Fig. 1. When the coin chute 82 is in this position the coins therein roll out of the chute 82 into the return chute 89 and thence into the receiver 90. When the operator releases the bar 91 the coiled spring 101 moves it rearwardly to its initial position whereupon the weight of the coin chute 82 swings it about its pivot to its initial position.

In the raised portion 96 of the bracket 59 and adjacent the rear thereof I provide a recess 102 in which a disc 103 is positioned. In the bar 57 I provide a recess 104 and in the bar 91 I provide a similar recess 105. When the bars 57 and 91 are in their initial positions the recesses 104 and 105 are positioned one on each side of the recess 102 in the raised portion 96 of the bracket 59. The ends of the recesses 104 and 105 are preferably tapered as shown.

The diameter of the disc-103 equals the width of the portion 96 of the bracket 59 plus the width of one of the bars 57 or 91. When the bar 57 is moved rearward the disc 103 is moved into the recess 105 of the bar 91 thereby preventing movement of the bar 91 and when the bar 91 is moved forward the disc 103 is moved into the recess 104 of the bar 57 thereby preventing movement of he bar 57. Thus when one of the bars 57 or 91 is operated the other cannot be operated.

The vending machine 10 is shown as including a change return device indicated generally at 106 which is similar previously mentioned copending application of which I am a joint inventor. The device 106 includes a sliding operating arm 108 which when moved forward actuates the mechanism to deliver a penny or pennies from a coin hopper 109 to a coin chute 110 which is shown as communicating with the coin return chute 89. A lever 112 which is pivoted intermediate its length to the coin actuated device as at.113 is adapted to actuate the operating arm 108.

Adjacent the lower end of the lever 112 a roller 114 is secured thereto and is positioned between a pair of spaced lugs 115 provided on the bar 57. Thus it will be apparent that when the bar 57 is moved rearwardly as previously described the lever 112 will be rocked on its pivot 113 and move the operating arm 108 of the change return device 106 forwardly whereupon a predetermined amount of change will be returned to the operator.

Below and at the rear of the hoppers 13 and the hopper 15 I provide a rod 116 which is pivotally mounted in bearings 117 on the side wall of the housing 12. Secured to the rod 116 I provide a plurality of bearing members 118 which have a tray 119 secured thereto. In its normal position the tray is inclined from the rear downwardly and adjacent its lower end rests on the upper portion of a delivery chute 120. Adjacent one end of the rod I16 I secure an upstanding arm 121 (Fig. 3) thereto to which one end of a coiled spring 122 is connected. The opposite end of the spring 122 is shown as anchored to a post 123 on the housing 12. The spring 122 resiliently retains the tray 119 in its normal inclined position.

Secured to the rod 116 inline with the bar 57 I provide. a cam arm 124 which includes a cam surface engaged by a cam surface 126 provided on the bar 57 (see Fig. 4). Thus when the bar 57 moves rearwardly it swings the cam arm 124 to the one shown in the rearwardly thereby rotating the rod 116 which swings the tray 119 upward to the broken line position shown in Fig. 4.

When a package of merchandise is expelled from its hopper as previously described it falls onto the tray 119 which is in raised position and as the bar 57 moves forwardly to its initial position the spring 122 swings the tray 119 downward whereupon the expelled package slides off the tray 119 onto the delivery chute 120 and is guided to a point where it is accessible to the operator.

When the tray 119 is in a raised position it prevents a dishonest operator from inserting a wire upward through the delivery chute and working packages of merchandise out of the hopper while its associated delivery plunger 17 is in a forward position.

For expelling the matches 16 from the hopper 15 I provide a delivery plunger 127 which is the counterpart of the delivery plungers 17. The de-- livery plunger 127 like the delivery plungers 17 is shown as slidably mounted in a recess 128 provided in the frame 18. For controlling the operation of the plunger 127 I provide a pair of spaced bars 129 and 130 which are slidably mounted in recesses 131 and 132 respectively provided in the frame 18. The bars 129 and 130 extend rearwardly from the frame 18. where they are supported by a bracket 133 provided integral with the frame 18.

The bars 129 and 130 each include stop portion 134 protruding from opposite sides thereof which normally engage the rear faces of raised portions 135 provided adjacent the rear of the bracket 133. Extending downwardly from each of the bars 129 and 130 through apertures 136 provided in the bracket 133 I provide pins 137 (see Fig. 7). Each of the pins 137 have one end of a coiled spring 138 secured thereto and the opposite ends of the springs 138 are anchored to pins 139 provided on the frame 18. The springs 138 resiliently retain the bars 129 and 130 in a forward position with the stop portions 134 thereon engaging the raised portions 135 of the bracket 183 as shown in Fig. 3.

On the side of the bar 129 facing the bar 130 I provide a lug 140 havinga downwardly and rearwardly curved surface 141. The lug 140 extends towards the bar 130 half the distance between the bars 129 and 130. A similar lug 142, but not including a curved surface, is provided on the side of the bar 130 facing the bar 129. Spaced rearwardly from the lug 142 and from the end of the curved portion 141 of the lug 140 I provide a lug 143 on the side of the bar 130 facing the bar 129. The lug 143 extends towards the bar 129 the full distance between the bars 129 and 130. The lugs and 142 in combination with the adjacent sides of the bars 129 and 130 form a coin slot 144 in which a one cent coin is adapted to be inserted and the curved portion 141 of the lug 140 forms a supporting portion to retain the coin in the coin slot 144. For delivering a coin to the coin slot 144 I have shown a 1 face 146 of the bar 129 is positioned to the rear of the cam surface 147ofthe'bar 130 as shown inFig.3.

For moving the bars 129 and 130 rearwardly I provide an arm 148 which is pivotally mounted as at-149 to the frame 18 adjacent the front thereof. The end of the arm 148 opposite, the pivot 149 includes an enlarged head 150 which includes an angular cam surface 151, a curved cam surface 152 and a working face 153. For resiliently retaining the arm 148 in a normal position as shown in Fig. 3 I provide a coiled spring 154 one end of which is connected toithe arm 148 as at 155 and the opposite end of which is anchored to the frame 18 as at 156. 7

For moving the arm 148 I provide an operating lever 157 which is pivoted adjacent one end thereof as at 158 to a. lug 159 which is integral with the frame 18 and extends to the rear thereof. The lever 157 includes a curvedsurface 166 which curves across the path of movement of the delivery plunger 127. The end of the lever 157 opposite the pivot 158 includes an enlarged head 161 having opposed rounded end portions 162 and 163. The rounded end portion 162 of the lever head 161 engages the working face 153 of the head 150 of the arm 148.

When a one cent coin is inserted in the coin chute 145 it is conveyed thereby to the coin slot wardly sodas the arm 144 formed by the bars 129 and 130. When a coin is thus deposited in the coin slot 144 the operator moves the delivery plunger 127 forward whereupon the raised portion 54 of the delivery plunger engages the curved surface 160 of the lever 157 and swings the head 161 of the lever 157 towards the bars 129 and 130. whereupon the surface 162 of the head 150 of the arm 148 swings the arm 148 about its pivot towards the bars 129 and 130. As the arm 148 is thus moved the cam surface 151 on the head 150 thereof engages the cam surface 148 of the bar 129 and moves the bar 129 rearward. As the bar 129 is thus moved the coin in the coin slot 144 being. in engagement with the lug 140 ofthe bar 129 and the lugs 142 and 143 of the bar 130 moves the bar 130 rearwardly.

As the lever 157 continues to move the arm 148 towards the bar 130 the cam surface 152 of the 7 am 148 moves intoengagement with the cam surface of the bar 129 whereupon the bar 129 ceases to move rearwardly. -Upon. continued movement of the arm 148 the angular. cam surface 151 thereof moves into engagement with the cam surface 147 of the bar 130. and continues to which conveys the coin to a suitable receiver (not shown) When the delivery plunger 127 is moved rearwardly to its initial position the coiled spring 154 returns the arm 148 to its initial position and the arm 148 returns the operating lever 157 to its initial position. At the-same time the springs 138 return the bars 129 and 130 to their initial positions,

When the delivery plunger 127 is moved forwardly without a coin being positioned in the coin slot 144 of the bars 129 and 130 the operating lever 157 swings the am 148 towards the bar 129 and moves the bar 129 rearwardly as previously described. But as no coin is positioned in the coin. slot 144 the bar. 1361s not moved rearcontinues to move towards the bar 130 it engages the side of the bar 130 which prevents further movement of the arm 148 and the lever 157 and as the point 55 of the raised portion 54 on theplunger 127 has not passed off of the curved portion 160 of the lever 157 further forward movement of the delivery plunger 127 is impossible.

Secured to the rod 116 in line with the bar 130 I provide a. cam arm 1.65 which is the counterpart of the previously described cam arm 124. The bar 130 includes a cam surface 166 which upon rearward movement of the bar 1 30 engages the cam arm 165 and rotates the rod 116 which in turn swings the tray 119 upward as previously described thus preventing pilfering of the matches in the same manner as previously described with regards to the other packages.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel vending machine mechanism which is economical in construction and highly eiiicient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a vending machine, a casing, a. plurality of delivery plungers movable therein, a plurality of independently movable locking bars movable at right angles to said plungers, means on said plungers whereby when one of said plungers is moved in one direction said bars at one side of said plungers will be moved and said locking bars will prevent movement of said other plungers, a second bar movable parallel to said plungers to an operative position, means to normally prevent movement of said second bar to an operative position, means associated with said locking bars and said second bar whereupon on movement of said locking bars said second bar will be moved to an operative position when said locking means is released and an auxiliary locking means to prevent movement of said locking bars.

2. In a vending machine, a casing, a plurality of delivery plungers movable therein, a plurality of locking bars movable at right angles to said plungers, stop means to'prevent movement of said bars in one direction, means on said plungers whereby when one of said plungers is moved in one direction said bars at one side of said plungers will be moved and said locking bars will prevent movement of said other plungers, locking means to prevent normal movement of said locking bars, means to cause movement of said lookauxiliary locking means to prevent movement of said lockingbars and means to release said auxiliary locking means.

3. In a vending machine, a casing, a plurality of delivery plungers movable therein, a plurality of locking bars movable at right angles to said plungers, stop means to prevent movement of said bars in one direction, means on said plungers whereby when one of said plungers is moved in one direction .said bars at one side of said plungers will be moved and said locking bars will prevent movement of said other plungers, a second bar movable parallel to said plungers to an operative position, locking means to normally prevent movement of said second bar to an operative position, said vending machine including means to release said locking means, means associated with said locking and said second bar whereupon on movement of said locking bars said second bar will be moved to an operative position'when said lockingmeans is released; means to return said second bar to an inoperative position, auxiliary locking means to prevent movement of said locking bars, and means operated by said second bar to release said auxiliary locking means.

4. In a vending machine, a plurality of hoppers having packages of merchandise therein, a plurality of delivery plungers movable in said vending machine and positioned one below each of said hoppers, a plurality of locking bars movable at right angles to said delivery plungers, stop means to prevent movement of said locking bars in one direction, means on said plungers whereby when one of said plungers is moved in said first direction said bars to one side of said plunger will be moved and said locking bars will prevent movement of said other plungers, a second bar movable parallel to said plungers to an operative position, locking means to normally prevent movement of said second bar to an operative position, said vending machine including means to release said locking means, means associated with said locking bars and said second bar whereupon movement of said locking bars said second bar will be moved to an operative position when said locking means is released.

5. In a vending machine, a frame, a plurality of delivery plungers slidably supported on said frame, an elongated recess in said frame, a plurality of bars in said recess, said plungers including shank portions, said bars being movable longitudinally in said recess over said plunger shanks, a stop wall at one end of said recess, a pivoted crank member adjacent the opposite end of said recess, said crank member including a pair of angularly arranged arms, the end of one of said arms engaging the end of the adjacent bar, resilient means to retain said crank arm in engagement with said bar, a second bar supported by said frame and movable at right angles to said plurality of bars, a recess in said second bar, the end of the other of said crank arms being positioned in said second bar recess and engaging one end thereof, means to resiliently urge said bar in one direction, locking means to normally prevent movement of said second bar against the action of said resilient means, means to release said looking means, said second bar when in a locked position retaining said crank member in a position wherein said crank member retains said plurality of bars in a position with the bar at the end opposite said crank member against said stop wall, said plunger shanks-having a raised portion thereon, said raised portions each having a pointed end, said pointed ends positioned adjacent the abutting ends of adjacent bars, each of said bars having a rounded corner positioned adjacent said pointed ends, said pointed end of said raised portions of said plunger bars when moved towards said bars being adapted to engage said rounded ends of said bars and move said bars towards said crank member whereupon said crank member swings about its pivot and moves said second bar to an operative position against the action of its associated resilient means when said locking means is released, when one of said plungers is moved to move said bars said bars being moved to a position wherein movement of the other of said plungers is prevented.

6. In a vending machine, a plurality of delivery plungers slidably supported, a plurality of aligned bars movable longitudinally over said plungers, a

pivoted member including a part engaging the end bar, means to retain said member in engagement with said bar, a second member movable at right angles to said plurality of bars, said pivoted member engaging said second member, locking means to normally prevent movement of said second member, means to release said locking means, other locking means for said aligned bars and means to release said other locking means.

7. In a vending machine, a plurality of delivery plungers slidably supported, a plurality of aligned bars movable longitudinally over said plungers, the bottoms of said bars being flush with the tops of said plungers, a pivoted member including a part engaging the end bar, a second member movable at right angles to said plurality of bars, said pivoted member engaging said second member, locking means to normally prevent movement of said second member, means to release said locking means, said second member when in a locked position retaining said pivoted member in a position wherein said pivoted member retains said plurality of bars in a set position, and means on said plunger shanks to move said bars towards said pivoted member whereupon said pivoted member swings about its pivot and moves said second member to an operative position when said locking means is released.

8. In a vending machine, a frame, a plurality of delivery plungers slidably supported on said frame, an elongated recess in said frame, and extending transverse to said plungers, a plurality of bars in said recess, said plungers including shank portions, said bars being movable longitudinally in said recess over said plunger shanks, a stop wall at one end of said recess, a pivoted crank member adjacent the opposite end of said recess, said crank member including a pair of angularly arranged arms, the end of one of said arms engaging the end of the adjacent bar, resilient means to retain said crank arm in engagement with said bar, a second bar supported by said frame and movable at right angles to said plurality of bars, a recess in said second bar, the end of the other of said crank arms being positioned in said second bar recess and engaging one end thereof, means to resiliently urge said second bar in one direction, locking means to normally prevent movement of said second bar against the action of said resilient means, means to release said locking means, said second bar when in a locked position retaining said crank member in a position wherein said crank member retains said plurality of bars in a position with the bar at the end opposite said crank member against said stop wall, said plunger shanks having a raised portion thereon, said raised portions each having a pointed end, said pointed ends positioned adjacent the abutting ends of adjacent bars, said pointed end of said raised portions of said plunger bars when moved towards said bars being adapted to engage said first bars and move said first bars towards said crank member whereupon said crank member swings about its pivot and moves said second bar to an operative position against the action of its associated resilient means when said locking means is released.

WILLIAM L. GECHRIST. 

